Completed section of the Pourewa Valley Boardwalk

Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path - November update

Kia ora,

Since recommencing construction at Alert Level 3, our project team has been busy making progress on some of the key structures along Section 2, getting stuck into landscaping work and putting finishing touches like lighting, handrails and more on areas across the site.

The team has been adhering to strict COVID-19 health and safety regulations including the use of PPE and hygiene protocols, contact tracing, physical distancing, waste disposal and cleaning equipment.

You may also remember we recently finished consultation on the path design for Section 4 between Ōrākei Basin and Tāmaki Drive. We received a lot of really valuable feedback and the full consultation summary report is due to be released in the next few weeks.

The project team will not be working over the 2021/2022 Christmas and New Year period. They will finish up at Christmas and come back on 10 January 2022.

In this email update, you'll find a progress update including a flyover video, a look ahead of work to come, some interesting facts about the boardwalk structures across the site and an update on Section 4 consultation.

As this is our final e-newsletter for the year, we want to take this time to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and to thank you for your support and patience throughout some challenging times during construction. We know this year has been a tough one, so we’re looking forward to celebrating the opening of Section 2 with the community next year.

Artist's impression of the boardwalk at Ōrākei Basin.

What’s happening on Section 4?

Thank you everyone who provided feedback on the proposed design in our recent consultation. We heard from 353 people and greatly appreciate the constructive feedback provided.

More than 80% of the people we heard from told us they like the design for Section 4, with many suggestions to increase accessibility and look after the safety for all users. We are finalising the design outcomes and will send out an update and the feedback report shortly.

Concrete deck formed at the Gully bridge

Section 2 – What have we been up to?

Whilst COVID-19 grips the country and the Auckland region has been in some form of lockdown since August, the project team was able to recommence work at Alert Level 3. Implementing strict Health and Safety measures to work within the new parameters, the team has made good progress.

Great progress is being made on all the boardwalks across the site. The largest boardwalk through Pourewa Valley is 90% complete, and the two smaller ones at Tahapa Reserve East and West are almost completed.

The concrete shared path is largely complete near the Meadowbank Train Station and remediation (returning the environment to its original condition) is well under way.
The rail overbridge structure is now complete, with the electrification protection screens installed and the bridge abutments (which ease the shift from the bridge surface to the path) and approaches finished, the team are now tidying up the work area.

The gully bridge deck has been completed and the team is putting the finishing touches on the abutments and approaches to the structure.

We’re making good progress with planting and landscaping site wide and with the bridge and boardwalk structures nearing completion, you can see the path really starting to take shape. As the end of this year’s planting season is upon is, we will be planting specimen trees (our character trees) and the remainder of the plants around mid-2022.

The John Rymer Place connection works have started with the vegetation clearance and environmental controls in place. Work on the retaining wall is underway along with the earthworks for the path.

We recently created a flyover video showing progress on Section 2 of the shared path and you can see it over on our YouTube Channel by clicking the link below.

Watch the progress update video.

MSE retaining wall under construction at John Rymer Place Connection

What’s coming up?

Summer is almost upon us, time to make the most of the longer, sunnier days. Although it may sound like we are almost finished, there is still work to be done.

Rail and gully bridge
Whilst the rail and gully bridge structures themselves are complete, the balustrades/ handrails and handrail lighting still need to be installed.

Boardwalks
With all the main boardwalk structures near complete, the only work left to do is to install the handrail lighting. This work is beginning very soon.

Concrete path
The section of the path from the gully bridge to Kohimarama Road will be our main focus for the coming months.  We will also be relocating our main site compound from near the Meadowbank Pony Club to St Johns road next to Sunhill Garden Centre so we can complete the remaining work on the path in that area.

John Rymer Place connection
The team will be busy in this area over the summer. In the next couple of months the boardwalk will be constructed, along with drainage and the concrete shared path.

Boardwalk at Tahapa Reserve East

The boardwalks

There are three 4.8m wide timber boardwalks along the project route. The largest boardwalk is on the northern side of the railway tracks which takes pedestrians and cyclists  through the Pourewa Valley. This boardwalk is 660m long with timber handrails on both sides to protect people while they are enjoying the view.

The second and third boardwalks are in Tahapa Reserve East and West; one short 20m boardwalk connecting the Tahapa Reserve West playground area to the path (one of the Auckland Council connections), while the boardwalk in Tahapa Reserve East extends for just under 100m over a steep section of ground in the reserve.

Within the shared path connection from John Rymer Place, there is also a 30m long, 4.8m wider boardwalk which spans over the Pourewa Stream. This boardwalk follows the same design features as the Pourewa Valley boardwalk so it will have a consistent look and feel.

The decking used for the boardwalks will be similar to what you would’ve seen on Section 3 of the project, the Ōrākei Basin boardwalk. The only difference is that they are an open grated surface, rather than a solid surface.

The open grate provides slip resistance and durability, particularly important in an area with surrounding bush and given the high volume of people on bikes anticipated to use the path. Lighting will be installed under the top rail along the boardwalk to provide better visibility when it’s dark.

The balustrade will be 1.2m high along most of the length of boardwalk but will rise to 1.4m on bends and inclines where there is a vaulting risk to people on bikes. This includes both boardwalks in Tahapa Reserve East which are on curved sections of the route.

Boardwalk fun facts:

• 800m, or 3,900m2 of boardwalk surface across this section of the project
• 14.5km of timber used
• 1,300 decking panels
• 1,625 steel handrail posts
• 15,600 timber battens (skinny ones under the handrails)
• 240,000 nails
• 76,500 stainless steel screws
• 9,800 stainless steel bolts

More information

To find out more about the project, or you have any questions:

• visit www.nzta.govt.nz/GI2T or www.at.govt.nz/easternpath
• phone 09 355 3553
• email GI2T@nzta.govt.nz